I’ve been super glad I live near my mom lately.

I’ve been sick. NOt dying or anything, just a whiny baby cold, but enough to put me in bed for 3 days.

I was deliberating about what to do if I keeled over going to pick up Max from school when I realized my mom could get him. YES!

Since then she’s hung out with Max so I could rest and brought me get-well-soon foods (read: McDonald’s Angus burgers and nachos. Feed a cold, people. Feed. a. Cold.). I’m so grateful to have her nearby.

For you folks that have always lived near your parents, consider yourself lucky. I moved away at the tender age of 18 and haven’t lived in the same city since. I’ve gotten used to fending for myself, sucking up my illness to take care of my child and withering away if there’s nothing to eat in the house. But with Mom just 5 minutes away, it’s made my life as a pseudo-single mom a lot easier.

So thanks for that Mom. And by the way, could you come over with sushi? I’m getting hungry…

I’ve been talking with my mom a lot lately, about my crumbling marriage and about life. She’s been stressed because of my problems, and I finally “got” it the other day.

She asked me how I’d feel if Max were in ICU. Naturally, I’d be a wreck. I would feel his pain and want nothing more than for him to get better–wait a minute! This is an analogy for how she feels about me! OHHHH!

And then I didn’t feel so resentful for her suffering right along with me. I realized it shows how much she cares about me. I guess you think when you become a grown up your parents can’t worry about you in the same way they did when your biggest crisis was a scraped knee. But they can, and they do. Most of us don’t need them in the way I’ve needed her these last few months, but it’s so nice to know that she’s my #1 supporter as I figure out what’s next in my life.

Here’s a challenge for you: if you have a small child, try not to use the word Hurry.

I am so guilty of this being the #1 thing I say to Max on a regular basis.

• When he’s walking like a turtle: Hurry!
• When he’s trying to pick a book to read: Hurry!
• When he’s eating: Hurry!
• When he’s getting in the car: Hurry!

There’s really no need for my impatience. A few more seconds won’t hurt me. Why then is it so hard to bite my tongue and let him take his sweet time??